Labor and Employment (GLE) — Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-101 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–101LinkCopy Citation
In this title, “high voltage line” means an electric line that:
(1)
is installed above ground level; and
(2)
has a voltage of more than 750 volts:
(i)
between conductors; or
(ii)
from a conductor to a ground.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-102 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–102LinkCopy Citation
This title does not apply to:
(1)
the maintenance or repair of an electric power plant or system that a private company or corporation owns or operates for production of electricity for its own use; or
(2)
the construction, maintenance, or operation of a high voltage line and its support structures and associated equipment by a public utility that the Public Service Commission regulates or an agent or contractor of the utility.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-103 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–103LinkCopy Citation
Until determined otherwise from the owner or operator of an electric line that is above ground level, the electric line is presumed:
(1)
to be energized on and at all times after installation or erection; and
(2)
to have a voltage of more than 750 volts.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-104 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–104LinkCopy Citation
The Division of Labor and Industry shall administer and enforce this title.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-105 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–105LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Whenever an individual who is authorized to inspect property in the State is denied access after the individual makes a proper request for access to inspect to the owner, lessee, or other person in charge of the property, the individual may apply to the District Court for an administrative search warrant under this title.
(b)
Each application under this section shall:
(1)
state the nature, purpose, and scope of the inspection; and
(2)
show that:
(i)
the applicant:
(1)
is authorized by law to make the inspection; and
(2)
requested access at a reasonable time;
(ii)
access was denied; and
(iii)
the inspection is for a purpose related to safety or health.
(c)
An application may not be submitted to the District Court unless approved by the Attorney General.
(d)
On application in accordance with this section, the District Court may issue an administrative search warrant.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-106 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–106LinkCopy Citation
If any part of an individual or object will come within 10 feet of a high voltage line while performing the activity, a person shall comply with § 6-107 of this title before the person may perform, or require or allow an employee to perform, any of the following activities:
(1)
moving all or any part of a building or other structure;
(2)
trimming a tree or doing any similar activity; or
(3)
erecting, operating, storing, transporting, or otherwise handling any object, including:
(i)
an antenna;
(ii)
an antenna support;
(iii)
equipment;
(iv)
a flagpole;
(v)
machinery;
(vi)
material;
(vii)
tools; or
(viii)
other apparatus.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-107 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–107LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, whenever an activity listed under § 6–106 of this title is to be performed within 10 feet of a high voltage line, the person responsible for performing the activity shall:
(1)
promptly notify the owner or operator of the high voltage line of the activity to be performed;
(2)
make any appropriate arrangements with the owner or operator of the high voltage line to carry out any safety measures required by item (3) of this subsection; and
(3)
with any necessary cooperation from and subject to any necessary agreement with the owner or operator of the high voltage line, ensure that the high voltage line has been effectively guarded against accidental contact by:
(i)
installing physical barriers to prevent physical contact with the high voltage line;
(ii)
relocating the high voltage line; or
(iii)
de–energizing and grounding the high voltage line.
(b)
(1)
This subsection applies only when a local government performs maintenance on street lighting equipment owned by the local government.
(2)
Whenever an activity listed under § 6–106 of this title is to be performed within 10 feet of a high voltage line, the person responsible for performing the activity shall:
(i)
comply with the National Electrical Safety Code; and
(ii)
be qualified as defined in the National Electrical Safety Code.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-108 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–108LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The owner or operator of a high voltage line shall perform any act that is reasonably necessary to carry out the safety measures required by § 6-107 of this title to guard effectively against accidental contact with the high voltage line:
(1)
after notification from a person who intends to perform an activity listed under § 6-106 of this subtitle within 10 feet of a high voltage line;
(2)
after the person who intends to perform the activity has made any appropriate arrangements; and
(3)
within a reasonable time.
(b)
This section does not require an owner or operator of a high voltage line to:
(1)
bear the expense of any safety measure required by this title; or
(2)
de-energize or ground any high voltage line if doing so would:
(i)
substantially interfere with service to the public; or
(ii)
endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-109 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–109LinkCopy Citation
(a)
“Equipment” includes a crane, derrick, pile driver, power shovel, trimming rig, or similar apparatus.
(b)
This section applies to any equipment if all or any part of the equipment may be used near any high voltage line.
(c)
The owner, lessee, or user of any equipment to which this section applies shall become acquainted and acquaint its employees with this title and regulations adopted to carry out this title.
(d)
(1)
The owner, lessee, or user of any equipment to which this section applies shall keep a warning sign posted:
(i)
on the equipment in clear view of its operator while at the controls of the equipment;
(ii)
on the outside of the equipment in clear view of each individual helping the operator from outside of the equipment; and
(iii)
on the boom of each crane or derrick so that, when the boom is raised, the sign is at the eye level of the operator.
(2)
Each sign shall state, in lettering that is legible from a distance of at least 12 feet: “Unlawful to operate this equipment within 10 feet of any electric wire”.
(3)
Each sign shall be permanent and weather resistant.
Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. § 6-110 (2026)
Title 6. High Voltage Lines
Subtitle 1
§ 6–110LinkCopy Citation
A person who fails to comply with or violates any provision of this title is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.